More efficient testing of solar panels entering the Australian market will be carried out in Canberra following an ACT government grant.
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Canberra-based company PV Lab has been awarded almost $220,000 for a testing laboratory in order to ensure the effectiveness of solar panels coming in from overseas.
The company was one of seven ACT businesses to share in more than $1.1 million in grants from the Renewable Energy Innovation Fund.
PV Lab partner Lawrence McIntosh said the grant would allow for better solar panels to be installed on Australian homes.
"Currently Australia imports a huge quantity of solar panels, but there's very little surety of it," Mr McIntosh said.
"There's evidence that the act of providing an independent quality assurance shows that it produces better products and people are better protected from those that aren't as robust.
"A lab like this can handle all the imports it desires and have that third-party approval which is good for panels."
It's not the first time PV Lab has received a grant from the scheme. It was previously awarded funds to establish a laboratory.
The new funding round will ensure that laboratory can be expanded for solar panel testing.
A lab like this can handle all the imports it desires and have that third-party approval which is good for panels.
- Lawrence McIntosh
Among the other ACT companies to receive grants in the latest round of funding was Evoenergy, which will get $250,000 for a battery energy trial at the Ginninderry housing development.
A further $235,000 will go to Evenergi for a heavy electric vehicle simulation platform, while $130,000 will go to IT Power for large-scale hydrogen storage.
Eighteen Canberra companies applied for funding from this round of the program.
ACT Sustainability Minister Shane Rattenbury said the grants aimed to provide more renewable energy solutions for the ACT.
"The aim is to take a great idea and leverage them into a successful business and a product that can stand on its own two feet," Mr Rattenbury said.
"The grant recipients are very diverse, but they are all working in the space of the future of the energy grid and reducing emissions and using renewable fuel supplies."
Mr McIntosh said the grant would prove to be significant for the solar panel industry in the ACT.
"The grants will mean that Canberra will be of national significance [when it comes to] solar panels and can also be seen as an export hub," he said.
Andrew Brown
I've been part of the Canberra Times since 2016, after reporting at local papers in Sydney's north-west. Since starting at the paper I've had stints on the Sunday Times, on the early morning breaking news round, and now as a general reporter, covering the ins and outs of anything and everything happening in Canberra, with a focus on health.
I've been part of the Canberra Times since 2016, after reporting at local papers in Sydney's north-west. Since starting at the paper I've had stints on the Sunday Times, on the early morning breaking news round, and now as a general reporter, covering the ins and outs of anything and everything happening in Canberra, with a focus on health.
